ESL Station		Language Depot
	Grammar	Syntax/Writing	Punctuation	Vocabulary	Pronunciation	ESL Station

Page: 1 2 [ 3 ] 4 5

Part B. Unlike Gerunds, which function as nouns in sentences, PARTICIPLES can function as ADJECTIVES in sentences. The examples and exercises in this activity focus on present participles, which suggest action and come from active verbs. As adjectives, participles modify nouns or pronouns. They can have the following sentence positions:

Adjective + Noun: I was awakened by the screaming child. (The participle modifies child.)

Subject + Linking Verb + Adjective complement:  The horror film was extremely frightening. (The participle modifies  horror film).

Participial Phrase:  The police noticed the thief  hiding on the rooftop. (The participial phrase modifies thief).

Introductory Participial (Adjective) Phrase: Looking for a place to hide, the thief climbed the fire escape to the rooftop.

Three things to remember about introductory participial phrase modifiers:

An introductory participial phrase can only be used if its "understood" subject is the same as the stated subject of the sentence. (*Having found the right partner, marriage was extremely happy for Katie. Note that it was Katie who found her partner, so Katie must be the subject of the sentence.The correct order is Having found the right partner, Katie was extremely happy in her marriage. )

The noun or pronoun subject must be clearly stated to avoid confusion.

The introductory phrase is set off with commas.

The above tips on placement and punctuation are very important for correct use of introductory participial phrases.

GERUND or PARTICIPLE? Read and decide.

• Click on the +(ing) words in the following sentences. A few sentences have more than one.
• Identify these words as gerunds or participles, depending on their function as nouns/noun phrases or adjectives/adjective phrases.
  
  1. Feeling sick, Feeling sick, Michael excused himself from class.
  
                Gerund         Participle

  2. Everyone hates having the fluhaving the flu.
  
          Gerund         Participle

  3. Swimming regularly Swimming regularly is great cardiovascular exercise.
  
           Gerund         Participle

  4. Having completed all of his homework, Having completed all of his homework, Kolby watched the San Jose Sharks beat the Los Angeles Kings.
  
           Gerund         Participle

  5. Rushing to work Rushing to work can result in careless drivingdriving.
  
           Gerund        Participle
  
           Gerund        Participle

  6. Rushing to meet her deadline, Rushing to meet her deadline, Marcia made a lot of typing typing  mistakes in the report.
  
          Gerund       Participle
  
          Gerund        Participle

  7. Using the jaws of life to cut away the cabin of the truck,Using the jaws of life to cut away the cabin of the truck, the paramedics finally managed to get the driver out.
  
           Gerund        Participle

  8. Pedro and his friends canceled their plans to go hiking hiking in the mountains when the clouds became very threateningthreatening.
  
          Gerund        Participle
  
          Gerund         Participle

  9. Finding Nemo Finding Nemo was a charmingcharming fish tale about a loving loving father's search for his lost son.
  
          Gerund          Participle
  
          Gerund         Participle
  
          Gerund         Participle
  
  10. Reading the newspaper Reading the newspaper is important for staying on top of current eventsstaying on top of current events.
  
          Gerund         Participle
  
          Gerund         Participle
  
  

  Next